Cheering on Durham Divas

The annual Future Cheer event, held in Manchester Central, is a huge competition where university teams across the nation get to perform and compete with the routines they’ve been working on all season. Durham Divas took four teams to compete at Future Cheer University Nationals:

• Blackout, a Co-Ed Level 3 cheer squad.
• Eclipse, a Co-Ed Level 2, non-tumbling cheer squad.
• Stardust, a Pom dance team.
• Electra, a lyrical dance team.

The Divas made their way down to Manchester for an early start, beginning the day with the dance teams’ performances. Electra competed first in the lyrical and contemporary category and Stardust followed, competing in the Co-Ed Pom category. The athletes were thrilled with their performances and gave their all technically, artistically, and physically. When it came time for the dance awards, Electra placed 1st in their division, winning gold for the second year running and securing National Champs! For their first time competing against other teams in two years, Stardust did amazingly, scoring 2nd place in their Co-Ed division. 

The next section of the competition day was dedicated to cheer. The Level 2, non-tumble team, Eclipse, was up first. Giving an incredible and energetic performance, Eclipse hit zero deductions. The Level 3 team, Blackout, performed next and with their stunning tumbling and stunting, also securign a score with zero deductions. At the cheer awards, Blackout did fantastically, achieving 3rd place for their efforts. Eclipse had an exceptional run, not only securing a victory in their division but winning Grand Champs of the day for the whole Level 2 division. 

Divas gave their absolute all at Future Cheer this weekend, performing with professionalism, determination, and enthusiasm throughout all their routines. A big thanks is in order for the team captains, Aimee Francis, Benedict Fawcett, Kitty Xiberras, Sam Puxley, Poppy Mullins, and Megan Hargreaves. Not to mention for the club’s incredibly hardworking president, Emily Wallace, and talented coach, Jaz Newton. The day was a huge success for the Durham Divas, with an overall spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship; Divas represented their club and the university exceptionally.